International Political Economy Minor

Department

Department of Economics

Degrees and Programs Offered

BA in Economics, B.A.MN in Economics, MinorMN in International Political Economy Minor

Economics is the social science that studies the way in which societies are organized
to produce the goods and services that sustain and enhance the life processes of the
community. As a fundamental scientific discipline, economics employs systematic analysis
in the study of the production and distribution of income within and among nations.
Since all social policy issues in modern societies have an economic dimension, the
study of economics offers the student an opportunity to investigate the most important
and exciting problems of political economy facing the world today.

Such topics as inflation, unemployment, business cycles, international trade and finance,
and development have long been within the province of economics. More recently, the
economic way of thinking has been extended to other areas. Economic theories have
been used to explain crime rates, birth rates, class conflict, pollution, marriage
decisions, migration, and many other topics involving human behavior.

Economics majors acquire skills in critical and analytical thinking that contribute
to an individual's intellectual independence and self-confidence in the problem-solving
processes. In addition, economics majors confront the necessity of developing a broad
view of the options facing humankind in organizing the production and distribution
of income. The literature of economics presents widely diverse systems of political
economic philosophy. The department offers a well-developed and balanced curriculum.

The program in economics is designed to give the student maximum flexibility. A typical
economics major might take courses in intermediate macroeconomic theory and statistics
while also learning about global corporations in the third world, or the regional
economy, or pursue an independent study project on the foundations of supply-side
economics. The economics major is designed to permit the student to pursue a broad
liberal arts undergraduate degree, integrating the study of economics with other social
sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and business administration.

Center for Economic Research and Education of Central California

The Center for Economic Research and Education of Central California enhances economic
development and economic literacy in the San Joaquin Valley by using the expertise
of our faculty and the skills of our students. The center sponsors research on regional
issues such as unemployment, health care, and pollution. It also provides economic
education services such as teacher workshops and curriculum consultation.

Courses

Economics

ECON 25. Introduction to Economics

Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Survey of the development of economic ideas and
theories in the context of economic history. Analysis of major economic thinkers.
Introduction to contemporary economic issues and policy controversies. Does not count
toward the major in economics. G.E. Breadth D3.

ECON 100B. Intermediate Macroeconomics

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50. An examination of classical, Keynesian and post-
Keynesian theories of the determination of the levels of income, output, and employment;
the scientific and ideological implications of Keynesian thought; and the theoretical
foundations of contemporary monetary and fiscal policies.

ECON 102W. Explorations in Economic Literature

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50; satisfactory completion (C or better) of the ENGL
5B or ENGL 10 graduation requirement; upper-division standing. An investigation into
important economic ideas and issues through selected readings of either contemporary
literature or classics in the history of economic thought or both. The class is conducted
as a seminar with emphasis on student contributions. Meets the upper-division writing
skills requirement for graduation.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Spring

ECON 103. Economics of Inflation, Unemployment, and Growth

Prerequisite: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Theoretical and empirical
examination of the business cycle, including major economic variables such as Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), inflation, unemployment, as well as other relevant economic
indicators in the United States economy. The course emphasizes business cycle theories,
economic indicators, and macroeconomic policies.

Units: 3

ECON 110. Economic History of the United States

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50, or ECON 165 passed with C grade or better. Exploration
and colonization to the present; economic factors in develop ment of the United States;
relationships of economic forces to historical, political, and social change.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Spring

ECON 111. European Economic History

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50, or ECON 165 passed with C grade or better. An
examination of the causes and consequences of economic development in Europe from
1650 to 1950. Survey of selected economic forces that shaped key social institutions.

Units: 3

ECON 114. Economic Development of Poor Nations

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Intensive study
of the causes and consequences of underdevelopment which affect two-thirds of the
world's people. Topics include theories of development, historical roots of underdevelopment,
evaluation of aid programs, New International Economic Order, Asian export economies,
managing external debt.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Spring

ECON 115T. Topics in U.S. Economic History

Requisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Detailed investigation
of developments in the United States economy. Topics vary with the needs and interests
of students and faculty.

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units

ECON 117. Environmental Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Investigation into
the economics of resource use. Development and creation of resources through the application
of technology and the destruction of resources through misuse and pollution of the
environment.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Fall - even

ECON 119. Urban & Regional Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Examination of the
San Joaquin Valley from a policy-oriented perspective. Construction of economic models
and theories regarding how urban and regional economic activity is located across
spaces. Investigation of why cities form and why they locate where they do. Application
of regional economic models to the local economy.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Fall

ECON 120. Women in the Economy

Prerequisite: ECON 40 and ECON 50, or ECON 165 passed with C grade or better. An exploration
of the social and economic forces shaping the economic status of women in the U.S.
Topics include women's participation in paid employment and current labor market and
family policy issues.

ECON 125. Introduction to Mathematical Methods for Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50; MATH 75. Introduction to mathematical methods useful
for economic analysis. Mathematical concepts are developed in the context of economic
examples and applications. Knowledge of fundamental economic concepts is required.
Strongly recommended for students considering graduate school in economics or business.

Units: 3

ECON 131. Public Economics

Prerequisite: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Impact of government
expenditures and taxes on the allocation of resources and the distribution of income.
Evaluation of government expenditure programs and tax policies. Analysis of existing
government policies and proposed reforms.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Fall - even

ECON 135. Money and Banking

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50. Survey of the monetary and banking system of the
United States and analysis of its role in economic growth and stabilization.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Spring

ECON 144. Economics of Sports

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Issues surrounding
the monopolistic nature of professional leagues, tax incentives used to attract/maintain
a professional franchise, and collective bargaining agreements will be analyzed through
Industrial-Organization, Public Finance, and Labor Economics respectively.

Units: 3

ECON 146. Economics of Crime

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Aread D. Economic theory of choice and
rationality applied to analysis of crime, focusing on white-collar and corporate crime.
Examines costs and benefits of crime control policies. Economics of participation
in crime, law enforcement, prosecution, and punishment. G.E. Integration ID.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: FallGE Area: ID

ECON 150. Labor Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade or better. Alternative theories
of wages, employment, and structure of labor market; impact of collective bargaining
on level of wages, employment, and labor's share of national income; history and philosophies
of labor movement; structure and functioning of labor unions.

ECON 162. Health Economics

Prerequisite: ECON 40 and ECON 50 passed with C grade. Economic issues associated
with the provision of health care in the U.S. Role of competitive market forces, non-profits,
and government. Separate consideration of physicians, hospitals, insurance, and drug
companies. Comparison to other countries.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: Spring - even

ECON 165. The Modern American Economy

No prerequisites. Not open to economics majors. Provides an overview of the major
economic forces that shape our everyday experiences by introducing fundamental economic
principles and applying them to the American economy. Audio-visual materials and computer
simulations are presented.

ECON 176. Economics Themes in Film

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Emphasizes economic concepts, issues,
and institutions through an integrated series of classic films, lectures, and discussions.
Students will apply the economic way of thinking to social problems involving such
topics as economic growth, unemployment, income distribution, discrimination, and
the global economy. G.E. Integration ID. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)

ECON 178. International Economics

ECON 179. International Political Economy

Analysis of greater internationalization of national economies. Policies of states
and transnational corporations in the context of globalization. Trade, finance, and
production in the international context. Regional economic integration. Global assembly
and labor issues. Evolution of multilateral institutions. (3 lecture/recitation hours)

ECON 183. Political Economy of the Middle East

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. A survey of historical, social,
cultural, political, and economic development, economic development in the Middle
East. An examination of Western colonial policies, the creation of modern states and
their political and economic policies, the role of religion, and cultural heritage.
G.E. Integration ID.

Units: 3Course Typically Offered: SpringGE Area: ID

ECON 185. Directed Readings

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50, and permission of instructor. Directed readings in
the literature of economics. Intensive reading of economic literature on special topics
under faculty supervision.

ECON 188T. Special Topics

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50. Consideration of in-depth, special topics in political
economy; systematic, detailed study into issues not possible in survey courses. Topics
vary with the needs and interest of students and faculty.

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units

ECON 189T. Topics in Public Policy

Prerequisites: ECON 40, ECON 50. Detailed analysis of questions of economic policy.
Areas of investigation include social welfare policy, farm policy, environmental quality
policy, and others. Topics to be varied with the interests and needs of students and
faculty.

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units

ECON 190. Independent Study

ECON 191. Internship in Applied Economics

Prerequisite: senior standing, economics major. Supervised experience in either the
private or public sector to provide students an opportunity to professionally apply
economic theory and analysis. CR/NC grading only.

Units: 1-3Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

ECON 192. Senior Project

Prerequisite: ECON 40, ECON 50 passed with C grade or better, senior status as economics
major. Course consists of a field trip, lectures and research. Designed to give students
concrete experience on how economics is applied and how economists think, do research
and present the results of their investigations.

Requirements

International Political Economy Minor Requirements

International political economy is the systematic inquiry into the political and economic
forces generating wealth and social change on a global scale. As an interdisciplinary
program it is administered from two departments: Political Science and Economics.
Students who desire a greater understanding of the complex political and economic
interactions of nations are encouraged to learn more about this program by consulting
with a faculty adviser in either department.

Advising Note for Minors

Faculty

The faculty of the department is staffed by professors whose primary professional
commitment is to undergraduate education. Every member participates in the full range
of teaching assignments from moderate sized sections of economics principles to small,
upper-division classes (averaging 16 students). They offer a wide variety of courses
ranging from the traditional core of intermediate micro and macroeconomic theory to
problem-oriented courses, as the economics of health, crime, sports, and government
regulation. The background of the faculty, like its program offerings, represents
a broad spectrum of intellectual tastes and professional specialties.

Name

Degree

Email

Phone

Arisian, Arakel A

Master of Science

arakela@csufresno.edu

559.278.4067

Avalos-Huerta, Antonio

Doctor of Philosophy

aavalos@csufresno.edu

559.278.8793

Brueggemann, Jeffrey A

Master of Business Admin

jbrueggemann@csufresno.edu

Dansby, Leroy

Master of Arts

leroyd@csufresno.edu

559.278.4856

Dunn, Lewis C

Master of Arts

ldunn@csufresno.edu

559.278.4934

Fabian, Thea P

Master of Arts

tfabian@csufresno.edu

559.278.4933

Fan, Qin

Doctor of Philosophy

qfan@csufresno.edu

Fayazmanesh, Sasan

Doctor of Philosophy

sasanf@csufresno.edu

559.278.2672

Johansson, Lars F

ljohansson@csufresno.edu

559.278.4045

Kempe, Leland R

Master of Science

lkempe@csufresno.edu

559.278.8832

Kim, Gil

Doctor of Philosophy

gikim@csufresno.edu

559.278.3950

Leet, Don R

Doctor of Philosophy

donle@mail.fresnostate.edu

Mc Nally, Andrew G

Master of Business Admin

amcnally@csufresno.edu

Peterson, Janice L

Doctor of Philosophy

japeterson@csufresno.edu

559.278.2673

Van Vleck, Va Nee L

Doctor of Philosophy

vanvleck@csufresno.edu

559.278.4932

Vera, David R

Doctor of Philosophy

dvera@csufresno.edu

559.278.4935

de Freitas, Diane

Master of Arts

ddefreitas@csufresno.edu

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